The Overlooked Hero

And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel. Judges 3:31 KJV

The Overlooked hero is a children story book about a young girl who tried to understand the fathers decision to join the army. A reviewer says that not all heroes wear capes. That is what got me in the story of Shamgar. I had flipped over the page in search of another judge when it struck me. This too was a leader. Sandwiched between Ehud and Deborah is our story today. Why do some people get so much attention and others do not in their life endeavours. After a whole chapter was given to Ehud, he is snuggled in in a single verse. Here is another person the thing bothered. ” (Well, who would know about you if your life were reduced to one sentence?) Shamgar has been passed over in the church year and hence doomed to oblivion.” Not today! Let’s learn about this hero. He probably was not an Israelite, according to some sources, but he saved the nation from slavery. At a time, God used Cyrus to save Israel. God is not waiting for an indigene. He is in search of a man who will. In John 9:30, the former blind man said something significant. Here is the NLT translation, ” “Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from?” J. Patrick Street says this about Shamgar, ” Not much is known about Shamgar. He is only mentioned twice in the Bible — in Judges 3:31 and in Judges 5:6. What is said about him reveals a man of character and courage. The little information we are given reveals a man who was useful to God in a great way.” That’s the way to leave the stage. He might not have been an Ehud, or a Samson, but, he tried. He too saved Israel. May this be your testimony.